By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
Senegalese President Diomaye Faye on Wednesday held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, seeking to redefine relations between the two nations just weeks after France shut its last military bases in Senegal.
The breakfast meeting came in the wake of France’s withdrawal, ending more than 60 years of continuous military presence in the West African nation. While Faye had campaigned on removing French troops, both Dakar and Paris maintain that cooperation on security will continue.
The young Senegalese leader, who swept to power in 2024 on promises of sovereignty and reform, has repeatedly stressed that France will henceforth be treated like any other foreign partner. At the same time, he has pressed Paris to acknowledge historical wrongs, including the 1944 massacre of Senegalese soldiers who fought for France in World War II. Dakar is also demanding the release of long-sealed archives on the killings, a gesture many see as critical to building trust.
Beyond history, the two governments are expected to deepen collaboration in education, healthcare, and sustainable development, while also weighing in on wider regional and global crises.
Later in the day, Faye is scheduled to attend a high-profile meeting of France’s top business leaders, hosted by MEDEF, the country’s largest employers’ union, as Senegal looks to attract fresh investment under its new leadership.
